Fall colorin Michigan's Upper Peninsula is nearing the peak season, and Houghton and Hancock, at the base of the Keweenaw Peninsula, are hosting a color-themed festival to help get visitors in the mood for the season.
The Canal Colors Festival will offer a lineup of fall-themed events from Oct. 1-4, including Oktoberfest, a color run, pumpkin pie-eating contest, plaid-themed fashion show and more.
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"Houghton’s got a brand-new fall party, and you’re invited. Parked along the beautiful Portage Canal and the mighty lift bridge, this festival celebrates the exact spot where fall colors first start to turn between Houghton and Hancock, Michigan. With steep hills rising on both sides of the canal, the season
shows off twice — once in the trees, and again in their reflections across the water. That’s what makes it Canal Colors," Visit Keweenaw says.
Here's what to know about the Canal Colors Festival in the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Are colors at peak in the U.P.?
According to Pure Michigan's Explore Fall color map, trees in the Keweenaw Peninsula range from 40% to 60% color as of Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Areas west of Marquette, including parts of the Huron Mountains, and farther south to Iron Mountain and Iron River, are at 80% to 100% right now and soon will be past peak.
Colors around Copper Harbor, where Brockway Mountain Drive is located, are as low as 20% color right now.
Fall colors from Marquette east to Sault Ste. Marie are rated mostly in the 40% to 60% range, with some areas seeing lesser change at this time.
When is the Canal Colors Festival?
The Canal Colors Festival runs Oct. 1-4 in downtown Houghton at the base of the Upper Peninsula's Keweenaw Peninsula.
What can you do at the Canal Colors Festival?
The Canal Colors Festival will offer a lineup of seasonal events in the Houghton-Hancock area over the weekend. Here's a look at the festival schedule.
Thursday, Oct. 1:
- Opening of the Digital Plaidurday Passport. You can check in at designated locations throughout the area.
- Plaid Paint N' Sip Night and Wine Tasting at Small Craft in Hancock from 6-8 p.m., hosted by ILO Creative.
- Plaid Bingo at Beviamo in Houghton from 6-8 p.m. The event will feature plaid-themed giveaways and prizes including Keweenaw cash, redeemable at Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce member institutions.
Friday, Oct. 2:
- Keweenaw Plaidurday Photo at Houghton High School football field from 1-2 p.m., with the photo at 1:30 p.m. Free apple cider and donuts will be provided by the Houghton High School Alumni Association as first-come-first-serve. The event will also feature a canned and non-perishable food drive, live music from the Michigan Technological University Pep Band and the Keweenaw Color Run 100, a short sprint.
- Brew Street behind Keweenaw Brewing Company from 5-9 p.m. Historic Brew Street will feature live music, food, yard games and local beverages on Lakeshore Drive, the former site of Houghton's waterfront breweries. Feel free to bring lawn chairs. Social District beverages will be sold to-go at participating businesses as a fundraiser for the Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw.
- Keweenaw Plaidurday Photo at Brew Street at 7 p.m., offering a short break for another photo.
- Canal Colors Giant Pumpkin Contest and winner announcement at Brew Street at 7 p.m. The contest will be hosted by Wolf's Head Film, with pumpkins to be on display Oct. 2 and Oct. 3. The winner will be announced around 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 2 at Brew Street.
- Lumberjack Lovin' at Brew Street at 7 p.m., a lumberjack-themed fashion show, competition and singles mixer. The contest will feature four local judges and a cash prize.
Saturday, Oct. 3:
- Keweenaw Color Run from 10 to 11:30 a.m., a 5k walk and run along the Portage Canal. The fundraiser event starts at the Houghton Pier with a group color toss and features color stations along the route.
- Fall Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring live music, children's games and activities, free cider and donuts while supplies last, pumpkins for sale, free tractor rides, a sled dog meet and greet and giant pumpkin displays.
- Keweenaw Pie Eating Contest at 1 p.m., a pumpkin pie-eating contest featuring up to 10 contestants. The contestants get five minutes and there is a cash prize and pie-themed leather good prize.
- Pride and Prejudice and Predator movie screenings at The Orpheum Theater in Hancock from 3-9 p.m., hosted by Wolf's Head Film. The double feature includes "Pride & Prejudice" with high tea and "Predator." Attendees are encouraged to dress in theme for the films, per the event website.
- Oktoberfest at Small Craft Co. in Hancock from 3-10 p.m., featuring German-style beers, Oktoberfest-themed cuisine and games, live polka and canal-side fall festivities.
An exhibit on plaid's origins in Copper Country will be on display at the Carnegie Museum in Houghton from noon to 5 p.m. on Oct. 1 and from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 3.
Attendees can also take the Mont Ripley Chair Lift Ride. Tours will be offered at the Quincy Mine and Smelter.
Where are Houghton and Hancock?
Houghton and Hancock are U.P. cities located on opposite sides of the Keweenaw Waterway at the base of the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Hancock, situated on the northern side of the Keweenaw Waterway, is home to around 4,500 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Houghton, located south of the Keweenaw Waterway, boasts the Michigan Technological University campus and around 8,300 residents, per the Census Bureau.
The highways sit on U.S. 41, which continues north past Calumet to Copper Harbor, where you can enjoy Brockway Mountain Drive.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Fall colors are popping in U.P. Houghton festival adds to season
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